food have we none. Now you have abbeys and
churches, and gold in plenty; therefore give us some of it, in the
name of holy charity.'

'I have no more than forty pounds with me,' answered the King, 'but
sorry I am it is not a hundred, for you should have had it all.'

So Robin took the forty pounds, and gave half to his men, and then
told the King he might go on his way. 'I thank you,' said the King,
'but I would have you know that our liege lord has bid me bear you his
seal, and pray you to come to Nottingham.'

At this message Robin bent his knee.

'I love no man in all the world
So well as I do my King';

he cried, 'and Sir Abbot, for thy tidings, which fill my heart with
joy, to-day thou shalt dine with me, for love of my King.' Then he led
the King into an open place, and Robin took a horn and blew it loud,
and at its blast seven score of young men came speedily to do his
will.

'They are quicker to do his bidding than my men are to do mine,' said
the King to himself.

* * * * *

Speedily the foresters set out the dinner, venison, and white bread,
and the good red wine, and Robin and Little John served the King.
'Make good cheer,' said Robin, 'Abbot, for charity, and then you shall
see what sort of life we lead, that so you may tell our King.'

When he had finished eating the archers took their bows, and hung
rose-garlands up with a string, and every man was to shoot through
the garland. If he failed, he should have a buffet on the head from
Robin.

Good bowmen as they were, few managed to stand the test. Little John
and Will Scarlett, and Much, all shot wide of the mark, and at length
no one was left in but Robin himself and Gilbert of the White Hand.
Then Robin fired his last bolt, and it fell three fingers from the
garland. 'Master,' said Gilbert, 'you have lost, stand forth and take
your punishment.'

'I will take it,' answered Robin, 'but, Sir Abbot, I pray you that I
may suffer it at your hands.'

The King hesitated. 'It did not become him,' he said, 'to smite such a
stout yeoman,' but Robin bade him smite on; so he turned up his
sleeve, and gave Robin such a buffet on the head that he rolled upon
the ground.

'There is pith in your arm,' said Robin. 'Come, shoot a main with me.'
And the King took up a bow, and in so doing his hat fell back and
Robin saw his face.

'My lord the King of England, now I know you well,' cried he, and he
fell on his kne